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Tips on Trends Report June 2010

Learn How to Avoid Being a Victim of Trends Gone Wrong

Trends can be tricky to decipher.  Each season brings in a rush of trends.  Some have staying power, some do not.  The key here, is that you figure out which ones will last longer than a nano second so that you make wise investments.  Perhaps even more important than staying power, however, is that you only adopt trends that work for you.  Lifestyle, work dress code, age all factor into whether or not a trend is right for you.  The flood of see-through lingerie pants coming into the market right now is a perfect example of a fleeting trend; and one that isn’t appropriate (really for anyone) but specifically for someone past their 25th birthday.  I’m here to help you navigate the trendy waters. Stay tuned each month for an update on what’s out there in the market right now and tips on trends.

So, how do you avoid looking like a fashion victim, avoid wasting money, and keep you closet manageable?  Here are some tips and tricks on the latest trends.

SHORTS – Every year a different bottom exudes feminity, the skirt, the dress, the pant, this season it’s the short.  Lucky you, they’re comfortable and easy to wear.  Opt for pair with a little length to them (four inch inseam should really be the minimum for this trend.)  Try them in a silk or linen to elevate the look, and pouf! now shorts can work with heels.  Pair them with a wedge heel for an of-the-moment-chic that channels the glam days of the 1950′s.

Silk Shorts from J. Crew

Chloe T-Strap Wedge in Nude

ROMPERS & JUMPERS – These can seem like a trend for the twenty somethings, but there are styles that work for all ages.  If you can’t resist the printed camisole/short romper look slip on a denim or leather jacket to add coverage.  If you feel like this trend is too young for you, I recommend trying on a strapless/pant combination or halter top/pant combination.  The pant trend for jumpsuits has either been wide leg, which is ultra slimming, or slightly harem inspired with a tapered calf.  The latter is totally on trend, and I think it will last a while, but if you’re looking for something classic go with the wide leg look.

Young Broke and Fabulous Jumpsuit

12th Street by Cynthia Vincent Jumpsuit

AKA New York Romper in Silk

SHOW YOUR STRIPES – Stripes are omnipresent, but this season they are making a big statement.  You can find stripes in the obvious places like t-shirts, but this season also expect to find them in scarves, handbags, pants, shorts, jackets, you name it.  I’ve abandoned the old adage that horizontal stripes make you look wider, it’s simply not true.  A tip: try this trend in slouchier styles.  If the silhouette hangs right it will be flattering not fattening.  So don’t be shy ladies, show your stripes!  I know every woman has a few stripes in her collection.  Below are some suggestion for new ways to add some stripe to your wardrobe this season.  For the truly fashion forward, go for the mix and match look, by mixing wide stripes with seersucker, or contrasting thin stripes.  The same wide stripe in varying colors of the Tory Burch tote and scarf below are another great example of way to mix stripes.  Pairing these two accessories with a simple outfit would be super chic.

Tory Burch Striped Canvas Tote

Tory Burch Striped Scarf

Juicy Couture Striped Top

Striped Aubin and Wills Racerback Tank

BCBG Striped Bandage Skirt

What’s in store for you next month?  A review of the utilitarian trend.  Stay tuned for more.  Anything you’re interested in hearing more about?  Leave a comment!

Karl Lagerfeld – His New Aesthetic

The Man Behind the Legend

The man’s a genius.  Check out New York Magazine’s, The Cut, for a series of fascinating quotes from the man behind Chanel and Fendi.  Take out your wallets ladies (and gents who are helping to fund your ladies’ expensive taste), the man who has made a life out of designing aspirational products believes the height of luxury is the ability to create both expensive and affordable product.  He’s quoted as saying, “Low is the new high, cheap is the new expensive, Target is the new Saks.” Let’s hold him to it.  I’d love to see him pull it off, and I have every faith that he, of all people, can.

He’s also quoted as saying he would like to have one of the new, ultra modern, washing machines.  Not to wash clothes in, God no.  He’d like to use it for what average people call a “dirty clothes hamper.”  He thinks it would look fab in his dressing room.  The article’s a must read.  Find it on http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/05/karl_lagerfeld_lusts_for_the_m.html

Jeans – When and Wear

http://online.wsj.com/video/jeans-fashion-statement-or-faux-pas/B97A195E-CF09-426B-970C-4C76C05B3E0D.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

This video is fascinating to me.  Of course the war of denim has been waged for quite some time now, but this video puts it into an interesting perspective.  Personally, I’m a denim junkie.  It’s the number one area of my closet that needs constant editing, and sadly I wear denim, at the absolute least, four times a week.  All that being said, I still believe there’s a time and place for the this fair-weather (literally) friend.

Don’t we still want the opportunity to get dressed up?  What happens if all mediums move to a casual dress policy? Offices have already become more lax, 5 star restaurants no longer unanimously require a jacket & tie, but now we’re talking about theater? Church?  Sure, we benefit from the fact that we don’t have to have two completely separate wardrobes, but are we starting to walk a fine line between loosening up and getting too comfortable? Once upon a time, the “No jeans policy” was as common as today’s “No shirt, no shoes, no service” policy that hangs on fast food joints’ swinging doors.  Are we ok with that?  Where do we go from there?  What’s “acceptable” next?

A World of Denim?

Personally, I will always look to theater as an opportunity to wear a fabulous, albeit dressy, outfit; moreover I will look all the more forward to those occasions because they are an opportunity to get “dressed up.”  While the task of finding the perfect look can be daunting at times, the thrill of feeling like you’re ready for your personal red carpet appearance is exhilarating and rewarding (not to mention, hello photo op!).  Thanks for the inspiration WSJ, I look forward to creating a jean-free look for work tomorrow.  We’ll see how it goes, I might even have a jean-free weekend.

What do you all think?

Denim Bar

SJP – Once Again Setting the Fashion Standard High

Sarah Jessica Parker at SATC2 Premiere

SJP does it again!  One of this generation’s most important people in fashion – SJP teaches us how to be brave in our fashion choices.  She doesn’t go for the simplest red carpet look, nor does she go for the most audacious.  She nestles somewhere in the middle, exhibiting transcendent good taste.  (Can you tell I’m a major fan?  Talk about a closet I’d love to edit!)  Can we please take a moment to obsess over this outfit?  The color, the movement, how fun does that dress look?  The glossy curled hair, the-I’ve-been-in-th-sun-all-day-esque make up job.  It just works.

SJP you are truly a style icon.  I can’t wait to see what you have in store for Halston, but I know whatever it is, it’s going to be fantastic.

Buckle up your Christian Louboutins ladies and SATC junkies, Sex and the City 2 hits theaters this weekend.  I’ll be in Greenwich, CT where I hope the movie theater lines will be semi-manageable.

Stay tuned for more about the movie.

xx

Out and About with Sarah G

I am always impressed by Sarah’s innate ability to put together eclectic and chic looks.  Her go to spots for inspirations?  People StyleWatch and WhoWhatWear where she pulls tips from the best dressed celebs.

Sarah and I got together tonight to catch up over sangria and tapas at Sala, in Chelsea.  After a few drinks, I convinced my fellow fashionista to let me get a shot of her looking chic and wearing an American Apparel slouchy sweatshirt top, ADAM Lippes silk georgette shorts, and carrying a Foley + Corinna tote.  Bonus, her necklaces were layered gold tone strands that looked expensive, but came from the ever budget friendly H&M.

Dream Boat

My Happy Place

I adore boats.  I could honestly just sit on the dock and look at them for hours.  Unfortunately, that was my only option this past weekend while at a wedding in Hilton Head, SC.  This is a picture of me crushing on the wooden, antique sailboat in the distance.

Wearing: Juicy Couture seersucker bikini and a Splendid cotton belted dress.  I almost never wear such bright colors.  I told my boyfriend I felt like two scoops of sorbet.  Reality: this is the way people dress when they don’t live in New York City.  Goal: try to be more brave in my color palette.  After all, this ensemble is far from adventurous.

Memorial Day – Tips and Tricks

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

-Moina Michael

Memorial Day is such an important holiday, and I hope each and every one of you takes a moment to appreciate all that the troops have done for our beautiful country.  Try to squeeze that moment in sometime between the beach and the backyard barbecue, I’m sure you can manage.

THE SCHEDULE

Beach or Pool Party – you need an outfit that’s no muss no fuss.  H&M is doing a sale on bikinis right now!  J. Crew also has fantastic swimwear.  Try one of those options for a last minute swimsuit fix.  Now for the cover ups.  Denim shorts are comfortable, and completely on trend at the moment.  Size up for slouchy pair, a la the boyfriend look; BONUS: loose shorts are so much more flattering over a bathing suit than a skin tight pair of Daisy Dukes.  Tunics and caftans are simple and chic.  Take a cue from the Queen of Understated Elegance herself, Tory Burch, who’s famous for her high quality tunics.  Calypso is another brand that makes achieving beach chic easy.   On a budget?  Old Navy has some cute and affordable options.  Don’t forget your SPF!

Dinner Party – I have a feeling every woman has something in her wardrobe that can work for this occasion.  The key here is minimalism.  Make it a simple patio dress and carry a big scarf to cover your shoulders when it gets chilly.  Not into the maxi dress look?  Cropped jeans, a button down (for the prepster)/embellished top (for the chicster), and a cute pair of summer-is-here-wedges are a perfect substitute.

Monday’s Backyard Barbecue – Ahhh, can you hear that?  It’s the sound of a Monday spent outside of the fluorescent lights of your office.  Cherish it.  I love the monochromatic look for a holiday like this one.  Kick off your summer white program and accessorize with gold jewelry, or take a hint from Moina here and throw on a red bracelet.  Make sure to carry a tote and be prepared with a swimsuit and sunscreen, just in case

Happy Memorial Day Everyone – and HAPPY SUMMER!

xoxo

Meet My Closet – Round 2

The handbags:  I have an affinity for handbags.

The situation: 31 handbags

The goal: cutting this obscene number down by at least 1/3

I’m getting started with the handbags in similar shapes and shades.  This is an easy place to cut back.  Black bags.  I’m losing the Michael Kors, the Kate Spade, and the no names.  Why?  The Kate Spade is a rectangular shape that I don’t love, and the Michael Kors’ lining isn’t attached so when I go to pull out my wallet I pull half the bag out with it.   Unless you’re lucky enough to find a fantastic generic bag that’s high quality enough to pass the test of time and meet all of your handbag needs, these tend to just collect dust and use up space.  This leaves me with my oversized black Marc by Marc Jacobs Tote it’s chic and great for errands around the city, but it works overtime as a beach bag and weekend bag too.  I sold the excess bags for a whopping total of $300.

Tans and neutrals.  Perhaps this is  category that not everyone needs.  Personally I adore neutrals because I love to wear white and I love to wear black.  A great neutral bag that goes with either, and adds contrast is never a bad thing in my book.  However, my beloved Chanel bag, which I purchased on a trip to Paris, is the leader of the pack here.  Everything else can go.  How many neutrals does one girl need?  Even I would say keep it to one, maybe two if they serve different purposes (EXAMPLE: mini bag and tote.)

Fun bags.  I can’t get rid of my teal Stella McCartney’s 2009 summer/pre-fall collection.  It’s bright and adds the perfect pop of color to my fairly common uniform of black or white.  Allow me to take a moment here ladies: each and every one of you needs a bag like this.  It’s amazing the lift in spirit you can get simply by wearing cheerful colors.  Plus, these bags tend to be unique so you can expect lots of compliments!

White bags.  These just don’t work for me in any way.  Donating.  Maybe they work for you.  That’s fine, but keep it to one perfect white bag.

Clutches.  I pick these things up like I pick up packs of bubble gum waiting in line at CVS.  It’s ridiculous.  A few of mine are vintage and I’ll never let them go, but there are plenty that I should pass on to new homes.  For starter’s I only need one black clutch, so I’m opting for my vintage croc print leather.  I’ll sell one, and donate the other.  After I’ve sorted that out, the only other clutches that I need to keep are my:

Old white clutch from Anthropologie a million years ago with coral embellishments.  Why? This works as a neutral right down to the coral embellishments that seem to go with everything summer spring related.  A neutral AND interesting.  It’s a keeper.

Red suede Tory Burch clutch.  Why?  Every girl needs a little touch of red in their wardrobe.

Turquoise vintage pill-box clutch.  Why?  Well, for starters it’s vintage… if that weren’t reason enough it’s a chic shade of turqouise AND it’s roomy as far as clutches go.

Silver beaded clutch for the holidays.  Why?  Silver goes with just about everything (sometimes even its close cousin gold, sometimes – do not get carried away here!) I can rely on this metallic maven to get me through the monotony winter holiday parties, as well as summertime soirees.

This leaves me with 9 clutches that I can either donate or sell.  Impressive right?

And with that handbags are done.

Drawers - a Handbag Lover's Dream

Benefit Dinner and an Unexpected Lesson in Being Gracious

Last night I attended a benefit to raise money for street art and performances overseas.  It’s so easy to take the arts for granted living in NYC, but in so many cultures the arts are for the wealthy.  This cause brings awareness to that phenomenon and raises money to bring the arts to everyone.

Anyway, I unwittingly managed to find the only fashion photographer in the bunch to snap a picture of my girls and me.  As I (somewhat jokingly) commented on has “fashion photog-like skills” he informed me that he was a professional photographer.  As it turns out we have a lot of mutual friends and acquaintances.  Just goes to show you, you never know who you’re going to bump into!  (Or, as a non-fashion industry friend pointed out to me – this industry is almost incestuous.)

What were we wearing?  The dinner and dress code were Mediterranean themed (one of my favorite looks).

Me – a floor length, deep v-neck, halter top dress by ADAM Lippes.  Why it works?  Because I love the way it looks when the wind blows and the way it floats behind me when I walk.  I’m also a major maxi dress fan because to me they are the archetype of easy style (natural, wavy bedhead hair, gladiator flats and your look is complete – it’s as simple as that.)

Julia – a floor length v-neck dress by Cynthia Rowley in a gorgeous green and coral.  Why it works?  That classic combination of bright greens and beautiful red hair.  Words don’t do the look justice really, you just have to see the pictures!

Jen – a Tibi mini dress with cut-out and a teeny tiny smattering of coral and turquoise beads.  Why it works?  She got to show off her fabulous curves in a tasteful way.  The fabric and quality of the embellishment made the dress a high fashion option, instead of a low brow go-to (which is so commonly the fate of minis with cutouts).  Way to make it work Jen!